Frederic E. B. Foley

Urologist contested

Contested

Foley devised the catheter and gave it his name, but the patent went to Paul Raiche of the Davol Rubber Company after a dispute that ended in court.

Sources

Designed the balloon catheter that bears his name, at first to stop bleeding after prostate surgery; lost the patent to Raiche in court.

Watch 57:49 in the film X. Without the Knife

1929: Frederic Foley first describes his balloon catheter, for haemostasis after prostatectomy. timeline
1935: Foley demonstrates the balloon catheter to the American Urologists Society. timeline
From 1935: C. R. Bard distributes the devices as 'Foley catheters'. probable timeline
October 1936 and after: Foley applies for a patent, wins before the Patent Office Board of Appeals, and loses when Raiche's court appeal reverses the decision. probable timeline
1937: Foley publishes 'A hemostatic bag catheter' in the Journal of Urology. timeline